Annual Forum recap

The TAS Annual Forum’s program was designed to give a breadth
of information on manual therapy, as well as the research behind
it, demonstrating physiotherapists’ commitment to evidence-based
practice. Speakers came from physiotherapy and medical
imaging specialties.

Keynote Kim Robinson, FACP, gave an overview of the Mulligan
technique and presented evidence for its effectiveness. Kim
introduced his session with a brief history, touching on Brian
Mulligan’s development of the technique, which itself drew on the Kaltenborn concept. He then outlined its basic concepts of being
pain free, instant in effect and long-lasting. Kim gave examples of
the effectiveness of the technique across a range of areas including
the cervical spine, shoulder thoracic spine and hips.

A clinical session later in the day anchored around a case
discussion of managing a shoulder rotator cuff and impingement
injury, with presentations by Dr Ken Mclean, a specialist radiologist,
and Maree Webber, FACP. Prior to this, APA Sports Physiotherapist
Lia Giovanovits delivered a session on clinical reasoning to frame
the discussion. Finally, APA Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist Jason
Rodgers and APA Sports Physiotherapist Sally McLaine gave
overviews of their PhD research into heel pain, and swimmers and
shoulder injuries, respectively.

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Throughout the day, there was a focus on public health in Tasmania
and the advocacy agenda of the APA. The forum was opened
by Tasmanian Health Minister Michael Ferguson, MP, whose
attendance provided an opportunity for a meeting with TAS Branch
President Maree Webber, FACP, Branch Councillor Scott Willis,
APAM, and APA staff.

One area of discussion was continued
support for successful initiatives like GP after-hours services,
mental health services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
health programs, and women’s health initiatives. APA officebearers
and staff reminded the minister of the cost-effectiveness
of physiotherapy to improve health outcomes and health system
performance. The APA also asked that the position of Executive
Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health be opened to
physiotherapist applicants.

A presentation by Ian Watts, APA General Manager – Policy and
Government Relations, focused on ways to think about public
policy, whether as a cycle of identifying problems and generating
solutions, a program, or a ‘political’ process. He also encouraged
us to think about using our experience to create simple case
studies that show the positive impact of physiotherapy.

Dr Kelly Shaw of Primary Health Tasmania highlighted the challenges
facing Tasmanian clinicians by outlining the general demographics
and the future trends of an ageing population and higher burdens of
chronic disease.

Phil Edmondson, CEO of Primary Health Tasmania,
talked of the commissioning process and said that with the likely
changes in allocating funding for services, service providers will need
to work collaboratively. For physiotherapy services in primary health,
new models of care will be required.

At this year’s TAS Branch Summer Breakfast, Lorimer Moseley will be sharing emerging research on how we detect dangerous events in our tissues and the implications for physiotherapists’ treatment of people in pain.